Udinese looked like being well clear of any kind of relegation trouble for the majority of this campaign. A remarkable run of 11 consecutive defeats in Serie A has however resulted in a slump to 14th spot, and the Little Zebras are now just three points clear of the drop zone and looking over their shoulders with three games to play. They did at least halt the losing streak with a draw against Benevento last time, but will likely need further improvement to pick anything up here.

Inter have slipped a little bit behind in the Champions League race now. They currently sit in fifth position and will likely need to win their three remaining games if they are to haul in either Lazio or Roma. Having lost only three times on the road all season, they look to have sound claims of picking up something here.

Udinese are just about at full strength, but Inter must again do without key midfield duo, Matias Vecino and Roberto Gagliardini in addition to right back Danili D'Ambrosio.

The reality of the possible implications of Udinese's slump doesn't seem to be dawning on their players just yet, and a draw away against ten-man Benevento last time out isn't enough to persuade me that they can get anything against a superior Inter Milan side. Inter may be slightly weakened defensively but should still have too much going forward against a side who have conceded two or more goals in their past 12 Serie A outings.

Just the two cards issued by referee Paolo Silvio Mazzoleni, both for Udinese. Danilo receiving yellow and Seko Fofana issued with a straight red in the 49th minute.

Inter had already created a couple of threatening moments before the opener came in the 12th minute. Marcelo Brozovic swinging in a corner from the left and Andrea Ranocchia rising highest at the near post to head across goal and in off the far post.

Udinese were under constant bombardment here, but had weathered the storm and by the half hour mark were starting to look dangerous on the counter. By the time the half-time whistle blew though they would be three down.

Calamitous defending from Udinese with Danilo losing out inside his own half and allowing the pacey Rafinha to race into the right-hand side of the area. He did have the option to play the ball inside to Perisic, but a deadly finish to the near bottom corner works just as well. 0-2 after 43 minutes.

Then in first half stoppage time, a long ball found Mauro Icardi free on the right. The Argentinian hitman bearing down on goal and into the box as the defence backed off before firing in, again at the near post. 0-3 at the break and this one was as good as over.

The sending off of Seko Fofana hardly helped Udinese's cause. Inter cantered to success in the end but did bother themselves to add a fourth in the 71st minute. A low cross into the area evading all bar Borja Valero at the far post. Balero calmly finishing back across goal and into the bottom corner. 0-4 final score.

Udinese's catastrophic slump in form now really does look like it may well end in the ultimate destination of Serie B next season. Now fourth bottom and just one point clear of the drop zone, they need to find a way to arrest a decline which has seen them lose a ridiculous 12 of their past 13 in Serie A. No team in the league is playing worse at present.

Inter meanwhile remain fifth, but have closed the gap to fourth placed Lazio to just two points with two games to play.